Andy Montoya
Birria tacos, also known as quesotacos, are made with tender beef, broth-dipped corn tortillas, and cheese. The best cheese for birria tacos is a soft Mexican melting cheese such as Oaxaca, Chihuahua, asadero, or quesadilla cheese. These cheeses melt well and lend a mild flavour that balances the birria meat. Birria tacos are typically fried until crispy and served with a bowl of warm birria broth for dipping. While Mexican melting cheeses are ideal, any shredded cheese can be used, such as a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Oaxacan (or Oaxaca) cheese, also known as Quesillo |
| Cheese type alternatives | Mozzarella, Pepperjack, or no cheese |
| Cheese texture | Melty, gooey, stringy |
| Cheese quantity | Avoid overfilling the tacos with cheese as it will ooze out while frying |
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What You'll Learn
The best cheese for birria tacos is Oaxaca cheese
Birria tacos are a delicious, juicy, cheesy, and crispy Mexican dish that has gained popularity through social media. They are made by dipping tortillas in broth, filling them with shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and cheese, and then pan-frying them until golden and crispy. The tacos are then served with a bowl of the broth for dipping.
While there are many types of cheese that can be used in birria tacos, the best cheese for birria tacos is Oaxaca cheese. Oaxaca cheese, also known as Queso Oaxaca, is an authentic Mexican cheese with Aztec origins. It has a gooey, stringy texture when melted, making it perfect for the cheesy goodness that is expected of birria tacos. Oaxaca cheese can usually be found at your local grocery store, but if not, freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese can be used as substitutes.
When making birria tacos, it is important to not overfill the tacos with cheese, as it will ooze out while frying. The key is to find the right balance, as the cheese is an essential component of the dish. The cheese pulls created by the melted Oaxaca cheese are also perfect for sharing on social media, contributing to the dish's popularity.
In addition to the cheese, the type of tortilla used is important. Corn tortillas are the best option for birria tacos as they hold up well during frying and provide the best flavor and texture. The tortillas can be homemade or store-bought, and a mix of corn and wheat tortillas can also be used.
Overall, birria tacos are a delicious and fun dish to make, and by using Oaxaca cheese, you can achieve the perfect balance of cheesy goodness.
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Other cheese options include Chihuahua, Asadero, and Quesadilla cheese
Birria tacos are typically made with Oaxacan cheese, also known as quesillo. This cheese is known for its gooey, stringy texture when melted, making it perfect for achieving those epic cheese pulls that have taken social media by storm. However, if you're unable to find Oaxacan cheese at your local grocery store, there are several alternative options you can use to create equally delicious birria tacos.
When substituting with these cheeses, keep in mind that the flavour and texture of your birria tacos may vary slightly. However, all three options will deliver on the cheesiness factor, ensuring your tacos are just as mouthwatering. Remember to shred or grate the cheese for optimal melting and don't overfill your tacos to avoid a cheesy mess while frying.
In addition to these Mexican cheese options, you can also use freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese. These cheeses are more readily available in regular grocery stores, so they make convenient substitutes. Just be sure to opt for good-quality mozzarella that is known for its stringiness, as cheaper varieties may not deliver the desired texture.
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Mozzarella and Pepper Jack are good substitutes for Oaxaca cheese
Birria tacos are a juicy, cheesy, and delicious Mexican dish that has gained popularity through social media channels like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The spotlight of these tacos is the tender beef birria (or meat stew) that is stuffed inside corn tortillas with cheese and fried until crispy. The cheese used in birria tacos is typically Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo. It is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from Mexico that has a buttery, mellow flavor similar to string cheese. It is a melting cheese that lends a mild flavor to balance out the birria meat perfectly.
However, Oaxaca cheese can sometimes be hard to find, and good substitutes are needed. Mozzarella and Pepper Jack are two great alternatives to use in birria tacos when Oaxaca cheese is unavailable. Mozzarella is a well-known cheese that can be easily found and purchased from most grocery stores. It is a soft, white cheese that has a mild flavor and melts beautifully, making it a suitable substitute for Oaxaca cheese. In fact, some people prefer to use mozzarella over Oaxaca cheese in their birria tacos.
Similarly, Pepper Jack cheese is another good substitute for Oaxaca cheese in birria tacos. Pepper Jack is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavor and a subtle kick of spice from the added peppers. It melts well and can add a little extra spice to the tacos, which is especially desirable for those who like their food on the spicier side.
Both Mozzarella and Pepper Jack cheeses can be used in the same way as Oaxaca cheese in birria tacos, melting beautifully and providing a delicious, gooey texture to the dish. They can be paired with the same toppings such as cilantro, lime, and white onion, and served with a small bowl of consomé for dipping, creating a magical meal.
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Birria tacos are also known as quesabirria or quesotacos
The process of making birria tacos starts with preparing the birria de res or beef birria meat. The meat is then shredded and set aside. The tortillas are dipped in the broth, which helps to make them extra crispy, and then placed on a hot skillet. The shredded meat, cilantro, onions, and cheese are added to the tortilla, and it is folded and fried until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is crispy. The quesabirria are then served warm with a bowl of the broth for dipping.
Some variations of the recipe include adding lime wedges, sliced avocado, or jalapeños as toppings. Others might use a mix of corn and wheat tortillas, although corn tortillas are said to hold up better. Birria tacos can also be made in an oven, Instant Pot, or slow cooker.
Birria quesatacos have become a popular adaptation of the traditional Mexican dish, birria. While not traditionally Mexican themselves, they have gained popularity through social media and are now widely enjoyed.
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Birria tacos are made with corn tortillas
To make the birria tacos, the tortillas are first dipped in the stew or broth, with some recipes specifying that only the top layer of fat should be used. The tortillas are then placed in a hot cast-iron or non-stick skillet to crisp up. Next, shredded meat and shredded cheese are added, and the tortilla is folded over and sealed. It is then flipped to cook the other side, and finally, served with a bowl of consomé for dipping.
The type of cheese used in birria tacos varies, with Oaxacan (or Oaxaca) cheese being a popular choice due to its melting properties. However, mozzarella, cheddar, and Cotija cheese are also used, depending on the desired texture and taste.
Birria tacos are a juicy and cheesy dish that has gained popularity, especially on social media platforms like TikTok. They are often served with a variety of toppings, such as lime wedges, cilantro, red or white onions, sliced avocado, and jalapeños. The consomé, or broth, served on the side can be seasoned with freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice, onions, and cilantro to enhance the flavours.
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Frequently asked questions
Oaxaca cheese is the best cheese for quesabirria tacos. It has a signature gooey, stretchy texture when melted.
If your local store doesn't carry Oaxaca cheese, you can use freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or Chihuahua cheese.
Corn tortillas are the best option for birria tacos. They withstand liquid and high heat better than flour tortillas.
Birria tacos are often topped with cilantro, lime, avocado, jalapeños, and red or white onions.
After dipping corn tortillas in birria broth, fill them with shredded meat, chopped onions, cilantro, and Oaxaca cheese. Fold the tortilla and cook until the cheese has melted and the shell is crispy.
